Uttar Pradesh, India

Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World and flaunting exquisite arts like the handicrafts and jewellery Uttar Pradesh is a bountiful state and an utterly religious one. It is the home to some of the most beautiful monuments and cultural sights in India. The home to diverse religious people, this state boasts of the various cultural and religious fests. With massive royal influence in the fields of dance and music and arts, this state is home to one of the first classical dances of India, Kathak.

The state is also known for its Nawabi style in food, can advertise fantastic street food like the samosa and kachori as well as the royal meaty feasts and kebabs. The land of Ram, Lord Krishna, the Buddha and the Taj Mahal- Uttar Pradesh, rich in diversity, transcends all boundaries of art and culture and brings together a lively mix of people from all around the nation.

Agra

City in Uttar Pradesh

Agra is a city in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state. It’s home to the iconic Taj Mahal, a mausoleum built for the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan’s wife, Mumtaz Mahal (who died in childbirth in 1631). The imposing main building features a massive dome and intricately carved white marble inlaid with precious stones. This is set behind a reflecting pool inside a courtyard defined by 4 minarets.

Near the Taj Mahal are the 20m-high red-brick walls of Agra Fort, a grand Mughal fortress and palace, much of it dating to the 16th and 17th centuries. Across the Yamuna River is another striking tomb, Itimad-ud-Daula, which prefigures the Taj Mahal by a few years, earning it the nickname “Baby Taj.” West of the city is the remarkably well-preserved “ghost city” of Fatehpur Sikri, whose red-sandstone royal apartments, harem quarters and pavilions date to the late 1500s, when it was briefly the capital of the Mughal empire

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal  is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river in the Indian city of Agra. It was commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan (reigned from 1628 to 1658) to house the tomb of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal; it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare (42-acre) complex, which includes a mosque and a guest house, and is set in formal gardens bounded on three sides by a crenellated wall.

Agra Fort

 Agra Fort is a historical fort in the city of Agra in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Before capture by the British, the last Indian rulers to have occupied it were the Marathas. In 1983, the Agra fort was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is about 2.5 km northwest of its more famous sister monument, the Taj Mahal. The fort can be more accurately described as a walled city.

Fatehpur Sikri

Located at a distance of 40km from Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is a perfect one day trip from Agra. A city predominantly made of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri was founded in 16th century by Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is essentially a fortified city built by the king and had been the capital of his Empire for fifteen years. Now a UNESCO world heritage site and a famous tourist attraction. A unique blend of architectural excellence, as well as religious beliefs – sums up Fatehpur Sikri.

Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah

The center piece and main attraction is the ‘Baby Taj’ mosque that dazzles with its white marble exterior, various color inlays and immaculately woven designs into the marble that when a tour guide placed a flashl…

This ‘Birthday Cake’ style mini Taj Mahal is a symmetric little jewel where you can peacefully examine the beautiful inlay and fresco work without the crowds like her nearby Big Sister of them all – the Taj Mahal.

Mathura 

Mathura is one such place which is considered one of the most sacred lands of India, and is filled to the brim at any point of the year with people looking to pursue spiritual enlightenment. Located around 150 kilometres from Delhi, Mathura is known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and has many sites of both historical and religious significance.

Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple

Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple is located in the holy city of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. The temple is of great significance for the Hindus as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Besides the prison cell, there are other temples located within the Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex dedicated to the deity.

Govardhan Hill

Govardhan Hill or the Giri Raj is situated at a distance of 22 km from Vrindavan. It has been stated in the Holy Bhagwat Gita that according to Lord Krishna, Govardhan Parvat is not different from him. Therefore, all his worshipers worship the pure rocks of the hill just like they worship his idol. The hill is made up of sandstone and stands 80 ft tall with a circumference of 38 km. Some interesting places one gets to visit the hills including Mansi Ganga, Mukharvind, and Daan Ghati.

Vrindavan

One of the oldest cities on the banks of Yamuna, Vrindavan is considered to be one of the most important places of pilgrimage for the devotees of Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna had spent his childhood in Vrindavan. The name of the city has been derived from Vrinda (meaning basil) and van (meaning grove) which perhaps refer to the two small groves at Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. Since Vrindavan is considered to be a sacred place, a large number of people come here to abandon their worldly life.

Banke Bihari Mandir

Shri Banke Bihari Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna in the holy city of Vrindavan in the Mathura district. One of the most revered shrines in the country, As you come in the presence of the Banke Bihari Temple, you are confronted with the stunning Rajasthani- style edifice of the temple, which is adorned with arched windows and meticulous stonework. The image of Lord Krishna in the temple appears in the form of a child and is seen standing in the Tribhanga position. One interesting fact about the Banke Bihari temple is that there are no bells or conchs in the premises, as the Lord does not like the sound of these instruments. Divine invocations are performed by peaceful chants of ‘Radha Naam’.

ISKCON Vrindavan Temple

Also known as Sri Sri Krishna Balaram Mandir, ISKCON Vrindavan is a dream fulfilled of Swami Prabhupada (the founder-acharya of ISKCON), who wished to build a temple for the brothers – Krishna and Balaram – in the same holy city where they played together several centuries ago. Located in the Raman Reti area of Vrindavan, There are two idols on the central slab of the temple which depict Krishna and Balarama, who were brothers. On the right dais are the idols of their friends. On the left side is a statue of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with Nityananda, and of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada and his spiritual coach Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.

Varanasi

City in Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi is a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh dating to the 11th century B.C. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India, the city draws Hindu pilgrims who bathe in the Ganges River’s sacred waters and perform funeral rites. Along the city’s winding streets are some 2,000 temples, including Kashi Vishwanath, the “Golden Temple,” dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Boat cruises take visitors past the many ghats (steps leading down to the river) on the waterfront, including the Dashashwamedh Ghat to watch the fiery aarti ritual, performed nightly. Manikarnika Ghat is the principal cremation ground of Varanasi, with 24-hour flaming funeral pyres. Another notable ghat is Man Mandir Ghat, topped by a large palace built in 1600. Above the river, the Mughal-style Ramnagar Fort was the palace of the former Maharaja of Varanasi and is now a museum. About 11km north of town, Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon at the site of Dhamekh Stupa, features ancient temples.

Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Kashi Vishwanath Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Temple stands on the western bank of the holy river Ganga, and is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, the holiest of Shiva Temples.

Dashashwamedh Ghat

Dashashwamedh Ghat is the main ghat in Varanasi on the Ganga River. It is located close to Vishwanath Temple and is probably the most spectacular ghat. Two Hindu legends are associated with it: According to one, Lord Brahma created it to welcome Lord Shiva. According to another legend, Lord Brahma sacrificed ten horses during Dasa-Ashwamedha yajna performed here.

Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple

The Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple is situated by the River Assi and was built in the 1900s by the freedom fighter Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya. It is dedicated to Lord Rama and Hanuman.

Assi Ghat

he Assi Ghat is placed at the confluence of the Rivers Assi and Ganga and is famous for the large Shiva Lingam installed under a peepal tree. It has immense religious importance and has been mentioned in the Puranas and various legends as well.

Assi Ghat is the heart of Varanasi and the locals, as well as, the tourists flock there to enjoy the amazing view of the sunset and sunrise at the Ganges.

Manikarnika Ghat

Manikarnika Ghat (Hindi: मणिकर्णिका घाट) is one of the holiest river fronts (ghats), alongside the river Ganga, in the city of Varanasi in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

This is not the burning ghat of Varanasi, as is largely believed, as cremation rites are not done on this ghat. It is the adjacent Jalasen ghat that is actually the burning ghat where at least a corpse is under cremation any time of the day.  The Hindu genealogy registers at Varanasi are kept here.

Fatehpur Sikri

Town in Uttar Pradesh

Fatehpur Sikri is a small city in northern India, just west of Agra, founded by a 16th-century Mughal emperor. Red sandstone buildings cluster at its center. Buland Darwaza gate is the entrance to Jama Masjid mosque. Nearby is the marble Tomb of Salim Chishti. Diwan-E-Khas hall has a carved central pillar. Jodha Bais Palace is a mix of Hindu and Mughal styles, next to the 5-story Panch Mahal that overlooks the site

Buland Darwaza

Buland Darwaza or the “Door of victory”, was built in 1601 A.D. by Mughal emperor Akbar to commemorate his victory over Gujarat. It is the main entrance to the Jama Masjid at Fatehpur Sikri, which is 43 km from Agra, India.

Buland Darwaza is the highest gateway in the world and is an example of Mughal architecture. It displays sophistication and heights of technology in Akbar’s empire.

Jodha Bai’s Palace

It’s one of the biggest palace Akbar built for his hindu wife Jodha, it has a place where shree Krishna idol was kept and worshipped by Jodha, however now there Krishna idol is missing.

Queen’s Palace Complex The elaborate gateway breaks up an otherwise high walled compound designed to give a bit of privacy to the Emperor’s harem.

Allahabad

Allahabad,  now officially known as Prayagraj, is a city located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Reminiscent of all that is spiritual and sacred in Hinduism, Allahabad is famous for Triveni Sangam or the meeting point of three rivers – the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. Built on the site of the ancient town of Prayag, Allahabad has, since time immemorial, held the largest Hindu gathering on the banks of the Sangam – the Maha Kumbh Mela.

Triveni Sangam

One of the holiest places in Central India, Triveni Sangam is located about 7 kilometres away from Civil Lines in Allahabad (Prayagraj). In fact it is the meeting point of three rivers – Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (which is a mythical river, supposed to have dried up more than 4,000 years ago). All three rivers Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati are highly revered rivers in Indian mythology, and hence the confluence point of these rivers hold tremendous religious importance. It is one of the places where the Kumbh Mela is held once every 12 years. The exact date of the Mela is determined according to the Hindu calendar i.e. the Panchanga.

Khusro Bagh

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Allahabad, Khusro Bagh was built by King Jahangir for his son Khusro. The tombstone of the prince lies in this garden along with that of his mother Shah Begum

Allahabad Fort

Allahabad Fort is a splendid work of architecture that was built during the reign of Akbar, the Mughal Emperor in 1583. The marvellous structure is located on the banks of the confluence of the Rivers Ganga and Yamuna in the North-Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Allahabad Fort is well-known for being the largest fort ever built by Akbar. The best way to explore the Allahabad Fort from outside is on a boat ride in the river either during sunrise or sunset.

Anand Bhavan

Anand Bhavan is the former residence of Nehru family which has now been transformed into a museum showcasing various artefacts and articles of the era of Independence movement in India. The double-storey mansion was personally designed by Motilal Nehru. The house was beautifully adorned with the wooden furniture imported from China and Europe and was decorated with various artefacts from all around the world. The mansion has an important historic value not only because of its construction but also for the major role that it has played in the history of India. It was visited by many famous freedom fighters to develop the conspiracies to drive Britishers out of the country.

Ayodhya 

Ayodhya, located on the banks of river Sarayu in Uttar Pradesh, is one of the 7 sacred cities for Hindus. Ayodhya plays a critical role in the Hindu epic of Ramayana as it is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. Given its association with Hinduism, it is predominantly a religious tourist destination with all its temples and historical significance.

Ramjanma Bhoomi

This place is alleged to have had a temple for Lord Ram once which was demolished as per Babur’s orders and instead a mosque was built on the same location. The temple is open to public now after a long period of controversies.

Kanak Bhawan

Kanak Bhawan, also known as Sone-ka-ghar, is widely known for images showing Lord Ram and Goddess Sita wearing gold crowns.There are musicians performing in the black and white tiled courtyard, which is a major attraction among visitors.

Nageshwarnath Temple

ccording to the legend goes, this temple was created by Lord Ram’s son Kush. The temple structure shows semi-divine Nagas worshipping Lord Shiva.

Sarnath

A quiet and spiritual town set amidst the otherwise densely populated state of Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is a city of historical marvel with numerous Buddhist stupas, museums, excavated ancient sites and beautiful temples that prove to be a source of immense wonder and astonishment to tourists due to their mystical and serene setting. Being just 10 kms from Varanasi.

Chaukhandi Stupa

The Chaukhandi Stupa is regarded as one of the most divine and important monuments of the Buddhist culture. This stupa has been built on the exact spot where the great Lord Buddha first met his five ascetics- to whom he later went on to preach his first teachings. Temples, monasteries, museums, gardens – there are many attractions here that are dedicated to Buddhism and its history, and the Chaukhandi Stupa is one of the most prominent ones drawing many tourists every year.

Ashoka Pillar

The national emblem of India and a mark of Emperor Ashoka’s visit to Sarnath, the Ashoka Pillar crafted out of stone is an impressive structure with four lions at the top. This 50 m long pillar along with the Dhamek Stupa, are Ashoka’s gift to Buddhism and the entire complex has a calm aura to it. A number of monks are spotted meditating around the compound. The entire complex is filled with lush green lawns, and along with the Stupa, they resemble a colony with the Ashoka Pillar being the main attraction. India’s oldest archaeological museum has been built at the periphery of the complex.

Jhansi 

These facts and the variety of monuments and essential landmarks down to the streets of the city show that Jhansi has a string of historical evidence which is dug deep into its roots and is one of the main reasons individuals are drawn to this city.

Rani Mahal

Rani Mahal is one of the historical tourist spots in the city of Jhansi, which is located in the southernmost part of Uttar Pradesh, India at about 103 kilometres from Gwalior. It was built in the 18th century and was once the residence of the great Rani Laxmi Bai. The architecture of this ancient wonder is utterly alluring. It is a two-tiered building with six halls which also includes the famous Darbar hall.

Jhansi Fort

Within the four-walls lay monuments like Baradari with astute and creative architecture, Kal Kothari or a dungeon for prisoners, Ganesha and Shiva temples and a museum that harbours remnants of the Chandela dynasty – weaponry, clothes and paintings. The streets are filled with bazaars and temples. There is also a war memorial paying tribute to martyrs, and the Rani Lakshmibai Park built in the memory of her poignant role in the freedom struggle.

Lucknow

City in Uttar Pradesh

Lucknow, a large city in northern India, is the capital of the state of Uttar Pradesh. Toward its center is Rumi Darwaza, a Mughal gateway. Nearby, the 18th-century Bara Imambara shrine has a huge arched hall. Upstairs, Bhool Bhulaiya is a maze of narrow tunnels with city views from its upper balconies. Close by, the grand Victorian Husainabad Clock Tower was built as a victory column in 1881.

Arched domes top Jama Masjid, a sandstone mosque. The Residency Lucknow, a British colonial landmark, is a building complex now partially in ruins. On the banks of the Gomti River, an umbrella-shaped dome marks the 19th-century Chattar Manzil palace. Farther southeast, Lucknow Zoo is home to tigers, panthers and snakes, plus the State Art Museum with artifacts ranging from prehistoric tools to religious sculptures. A few towers remain of the nearby Dilkusha Kothi, an early-19th-century English baroque house. To the east is Janeshwar Mishra Park with cycle paths and lakes hosting migratory birds, including cranes and flamingos.

Bara Imambara

The Bara Imambara of Lucknow is one of the most famous monuments of the city. Also known as Asfi Imambara, after the name of the Nawab of Lucknow who got it constructed, it is an important place of worship for the Muslims who come here every year to celebrate the religious festival of Muharram. The Imambara is primarily known for its incredible maze, known as Bhul Bhulaiya locally, which is located on the upper floor of the monument. It is said that there are 1024 ways to get inside the maze but only 2 to come out. World over, Bara Imambara is as much revered for its religious importance as for its architectural prowess.

Rumi Darwaza

Rumi Darwaza in the heart of Lucknow looms over the busy everyday traffic of Lajpatnagar like an old guardian angel that has seen the city rise and fall. The ancient Awadhi architecture of Rumi Darwaza is one of those features of the old city of Lucknow which still clings on to the nostalgias of the past, like the horse driven Tonga cart. The creation of Rumi Darwaza has a very charitable reason behind it. When famine struck North India during 1748, the then Nawab of Lucknow came up with a plan that will feed his countrymen as well as give him something to cherish and be proud of.